The Sicilian festival will hold its annual Spaghetti Cookoff May 15 starting at 8 a.m. at Festival Square, 312 E Railroad Ave., Independence, LA. A dessert competition has been added this year. People are encouraged to make their favorite Italian or Sicilian dessert and bring it to the pavilion at Festival Square by 10:30 that morning. The entry fee is $5 for each dessert, and forms are available at www.indysicilianfest.com/cookoff. 

Kenny Cornett will provide the entertainment from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Sicilian Festival will be held June 4-6. Annual events are returning now that the state has eased some of the COVID-19 safety precautions, and new events are being launched. See the Community Calendar on B2.